Rome - An easy-looking home match with promoted Livorno Saturday is a welcome affair for Juventus after a Champions League outing that slowed down the brisk pace they have displayed in the Serie A. A 1-1 draw at home to Girondins Bordeaux made Juve aware of some tactical flaws and, more dramatically, lengthened an already worrisome injury list.
Fabio Cannavaro, Portugal's Tiago and Brazilian Felipe Melo are looking to recover along with the already injured Brazil star Diego, key midfielder Mohamed Sissoko and captain Alessandro Del Piero.
The tactical issues for new coach Ciro Ferrara lie mostly in a midfield that has struggled to provide adequate support to strikers Vincenzo Iaquinta and Brazilian Amauri.
"Don't forget that Juve played for five or six years with a 4-4-2 formation," Ferrara said.
"It's only two months since we changed tactics (with one man behind the two strikers) and the way to stay on the pitch, but the results are satisfying. We knew that things could not be always perfect."
After three games, the Turin side lead on nine points jointly with Genoa and cross-town Sampdoria, while Fiorentina and Inter Milan trail two points adrift.
Champions Inter also didn't shine against holders Barcelona, but coach Jose Mourinho said he was pleased with the scoreless home draw.
"Unlike many other (qualification) groups in this Champions League, ours is tough, serious," Mourinho said. "Therefore I'm satisfied. We played a great game. With Barca it's never easy."
On Sunday, Inter are away to Sardinia side Cagliari, while Fiorentina, who lost 1-0 with 10 men away to Olympique Lyonnais, play a late central-Italy derby with Roma.
AC Milan trail on four points, but did very well winning 2-1 at Olympique Marseille and should have few problems at home to minnows Bologna.
Napoli and Udinese open the weekend Saturday afternoon, while on Sunday Genoa play away to Chievo and Sampdoria entertain Siena.
Newcomers Bari hosts Atalanta, still on zero points next to Catania, who welcome Lazio, while promoted Parma take on Palermo.
